Conditioner for use with shoe bottommolding and attaching apparatus



March 2, 1965 HARDY 3,171,161

H. CONDITIONER FOR USE WITH SHOE BOTTOM-MOLDING Filed March 22, 1961 AND ATTACHING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATT'KY March 2, 1965 H. HARDY 3,171,161

CONDITIONER FOR usE WITH SHOE BOTTOM-MOLDING AND ATTACHING APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J? r f;

j? J INVENTOR.

H 227 Hard Ma h United States Patent 3,171,161 CONDITIONER FOR USE WITH SHOE BOTTOM- MOLDEN G AND ATTACHING APPARATUS Henry Hardy, Cambridge, Mass., assignor to International Vulcanizing Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 97,691 7 Claims. (Cl. 18-17) This invention relates to apparatus for making shoes and, in particular, to molding apparatus of the kind disclosed in my Patent No. 2,878,523, wherein a lasted upper is held engaged with the rim of an open top mold within which is disposed a bottom-forming blank for application of heat and pressure to attach the bottom to the upper. It is an object of this invention to provide means for use in conjunction with that apparatus for expediting production and especially to provide a conditioner by means of which bottom blanks may be conditioned preparatory to use Without overconditioning; to provide a conditioner which will accommodate only one blank at a time so that there is no danger of leaving one or more blanks exposed for too long a time; to provide a conditioner which is operatively associated with the molding apparatus in such a manner as to provide conditioned blanks in synchronism with the need for blanks; and to provide a conditioner which is relatively simple to manufacture, durable and requires little upkeep.

As herein illustrated, the apparatus comprises in combination with mold parts which are movable into and out of engagement to hold a lasted upper engaged with a bottom-forming blank, and means for effecting such movement, of a conditioner mounted adjacent thereto, including a heating element, and means for rendering the heating element effective during the period when the upper is engaged with the sole blank and ineffective when the attaching operation is completed. More specifically, the conditioner comprises a support mounting, in a horizontal position, a heating element which is constantly energized, a grid mounted above the heating element for supporting a sole blank, a reflector, means for supporting the reflector above the grid for movement from a position adjacent the grid to an inoperative position,-and means for effecting movement of the reflector into and out of operative position in synchronismwith the movement of the mold parts into and out of operative position. A second reflector is disposed beneath the heating element and is cooperable with the first to effect rapid heating of the blank resting on the grid. When the first reflector is moved to its inoperative position the heating element is rendered substantially ineffective.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of molding apparatus with the conditioner mounted thereon, as seen from one end, with the reflector shown in full lines in its operative position and in dotted lines in its inoperative position;

FIG. 2 is an elevation widthwise of the conditioner, partly in section;

FIG. 3 is an elevation lengthwise of the conditioner;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the machine withthe mold halves and supporting structure omitted to clearly show the bottom part of the mold; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical section transversely of the mold showing the mold halves, the bottom part of the mold, and a last resting on the rim of the mold.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows in end elevation a molding apparatus such as shown in the patent referred to above, with the conditioner attached to one side, substantially on a level with the bed plate which supports the mold. A pair of L-shaped brackets 14 are provided for supporting the conditioner in position.

- thereon.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the conditioner has a substantially rectangular box-like base 16 across the top of which there is mounted a flat heating element 18 which, in its preferred form, is a glass plate or panel coated with an electric conductor, it being understood however that other kinds of heaters may be employed. Preferably, the heating element is designed to produce long wave-length infra red heat waves.

A reflector element 20 is disposed within the box below the heater and is in the form of a sheet of metal, downwardly V-shaped in section, having a polished upper surface.

At opposite ends of the base there are longitudinally spaced frames having gable ends 21 and perpendicularly disposed legs 2222 which are fastened to the sides of the box at their lower ends. A grid 26 comprised of, for example, a flat piece of coarse wire screen, is supported above the heating element in spaced parallel relation thereto on the legs 22-22, by means of L-shaped brackets 28, so that it may be adjusted heightwise of the heating element. The legs 22 are slotted where they are attached to the walls of the box so that they, in turn, may be ad justed heightwise with respect to the heating element. A reflector 34 of downwardly facing V-shaped cross-section is mounted at one edge by means of hinges 36 on the legs 22 at one side near their upper ends, in a position to have engagement with the gable ends of the frame members 24 in an operative position above the grid, or to be tilted upwardly to an inoperative position to one side, as shown in dotted lines. To effect such movement an angle. arm 38 is fastened to the reflector 34 midway betweenits ends and linkage 40 connects the outer end of the angle arm 38 to the outer end of a rod 42 protruding from one end of a cylinder 44, the latter being fastened to the base of the molding apparatus (FIG. 1). The cylinder 44 is supplied with pressure fluid and is connected to the pneumatic system employed for effecting operation of the molding apparatus in such fashion that it operates to lower the reflector 34'into engagement with the frame members 24 so as to be above the grid and heating elei ment when the lasted upper is engaged with the mold parts and is elevated to an inoperative position simultaneously with the separation of the mold parts to release the finished shoe. I

As related heretofore, there is a reflector 20 below the heating element 18 which diverts the downwardly pro jecting heat rays upwardly so that they, in conjunction with the normally upwardly projecting heat rays, pass through the grid and impinge upon the sole blank resting So long as the second reflector 34 is held in its upright inoperative position, the direct and indirect heat rays of the heater have substantially no effect onthe insole hence the latter may remain on the grid for a relatively long time without being subjected to curing or setting, or otherwise adversely affecting the blank. When the reflector 34 is lowered into its operative position above the grid however, the direct and indirect heat waves are re-refiected and become so concentrated by such interreflection, that is, between the two reflectors, that heating of the insole takes place rapidly. By adjusting the spacing of the grid 26 with reference to the heating element 18 and the reflector 34 with respect to the heating element and the grid, the time required to heat the bottom blank to just the right condition for application to the upper may be adjusted to correspond to the length of time required for attaching a bottom blank to the upper in the molding apparatus. Thus, by moving the reflector into and out of operative position in timed relation with the movement of the mold parts into and out of engagement, it is possible to have a bottom element conditioned and ready for use following each attaching operation and to avoid overconditioning if the operator is delayed somewhat in starting the next operation.

In accordance with the aforementioned Patent No.

2,878,523, and as illustrated herein in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the mold is comprised of mold halves 52 which are brought together about a movable bottom part 54 preparatory to a bottom-attaching operation to provide a mold cavity, by, depression of the treadle 46, whereupon a sole blank S is dropped into the mold cavity. The uppermost one of the lasts L, upon which the upper U is mounted is now rotated into a position above the mold by a handle 70 and then lowered into sealing engagement with the rim by means of the handle 48, whereupon the treadle 46 isagain depressed to effect elevation of the bottom part 54. The pressure system for effecting movement of the mold parts is controlled by a three-way valve 50 which is ratchet-operated by the treadle 46, as described in detail in the aforesaid patent, and includes a timer which maybe set to automatically release the mold parts at the enclof a predetermined length of time. ,The apparatus, asthus described, of course, can be used with other kinds of molding apparatus and has the advantages of-making a conditioned bottom available at just. the right time for use; of minimizing overconditioning in the event that it is not used immediately; of providing a simple, comparatively small adjunct for use with each molding machine which conditions only one bottom blank at a time so that there is no chance for the operator to leave a blank for an inordinate time exposed to conditioning; of providingau apparatus which takes up little space;.and of providing an apparatus which is economical of power and requires little upkeep.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

' I claim:

. l'.,The combination with a molding apparatus includ-. ing parts cooperable to hold a lasted upper engaged with a bottom-forming blank to eflect attachment of the bottom to the upper, including means for bringing the parts into engagement, and means for disengaging the parts at the end of a predetermined interval, a conditioner mounted adjacent the apparatus for conditioning a blank preparatory to use, said conditioner including a constantly energized heating element, a grid disposed above the heating element for supporting a blank thereon, a reflector movable from a position above the grid to an inoperative. position, and means operable when the parts are moved into engagement to move the reflector to said position abovethe grid and, when moved apart, to move the reflector to said inoperative position, said heating element being ineifective so long as the reflector occupies said inoperative position. I

1 2'. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reflector is hinged along an edge for pivotal movement from a horizontal position to an upright position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a second reflector element disposedbelow the heating element.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reflectors are of V-shaped cross-section and arranged facing each other.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means mounting the grid above the heating element for heightwise adjustment relative thereto.

6. The combination with .a molding apparatus including parts cooperable to hold a lasted upper engaged With a bottom-forming blank to eifect attachment of the blank to the upper, including means for bringing the parts into engagement, and means for disengaging the parts at the end of a predetermined interval, a conditioner comprising a constantly energized heating element, a grid disposed above the heating element for supporting a blank thereabove, a reflector supported above the grid, means for moving the reflector into and out of position above the grid, and means operable in response to operation of the means which operates to move the mold parts into and out of engagement to move the reflector into and out of operative position relative to the grid, said heating element being substantially ineffective when the reflector is held in its inoperative position.

7. In a molding apparatus comprising an open top mold and a last cooperable therewith to hold an upper lasted to the last engaged with the open top of the mold for attachment of a bottom to the upper, including means for bringing the last and the mold into engagement, and means for disengaging the last from the mold at the end of a predetermined interval; a conditioner mounted adjacent to the apparatus for conditioning a sole blank preparatory to attachment of the bottom to the upper, said conditioner comprising a foraminous support upon which the sole blank may be placed for heating and from which it may be removed for deposit in the mold, a high frequency heating element arranged below the foraminous support, spaced reflectors arranged above and below the heating element operative to concentrate the heat from the heating element in the plane of the foraminous support and the means operable in consonance with the movement of the last out of engagement with the mold to retract the reflector at the upper side of the toraminous support to render the heating element substantially ineffective, while the last and mold are disengaged, even though the sole blank continues to remain on the support.

'6 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,903,477 7 4/33 Rolfson 2l9-35.1 2,134,474 10/38 Gillespie 2l9'-35 XR 2,564,987 8/51 Mochel 2l935 2,713,697 7/55 Willcox. 2,764,664 9/56 Stewart 219-35 2,767,297 10/56 Benson 219-45 2,919,463 1/ 60 Creamer l8--5 FOREIGN PATENTS 826,379 1/60 Great Britain.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT F. WI-IITE, WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON,

Examiners. 

1. THE COMBINATION WITH A MOLDING APPARATUS INCLUDING PARTS COOPERABLE TO HOLD A LASTED UPPER ENGAGED WITH A BOTTOM-FORMING BLANK TO EFFECT ATTACHMENT OF THE BOTTOM TO THE UPPER, INCLUDING MEANS FOR BRINGING THE PARTS INTO ENGAGEMENT, AND MEANS DISENGAGING THE PARTS AT THE END OF A PREDETERMINED INTERVAL, A CONDITIONER MOUNTED ADJACENT THE APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING A BLANK PREPARATORY TO USE, SAID CONDITIONER INCLUDING A CONSTANTLY ENERGIZING HEATING ELEMENT, A GRID DISPOSED ABOVE THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR SUPPORTING A BLANK THEREON, A REFLECTOR MOVABLE FROM A POSITION ABOVE THE GRID TO AN INOPERATIVE POSITION, AND MEANS OPERABLE WHEN THE PARTS ARE MOVED INTO ENGAGEMENT TO MOVE THE REFLECTOR TO SAID POSITION ABOVE THE GRID AND, WHEN MOVED APART, TO MOVE THE REFLECTOR TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION, SAID HEATING ELEMENT BEING INEFFECTIVE SO LONG AS THE REFLECTOR OCCUPIES SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION. 